“THE HIGHWAYMAN” ~ ALFRED NOYES ~

What is a Highwayman?

Highwaymen Highwaymen were common in England between 1760-1820. A highwayman rode by horseback and robbed travelers on country roads. He often targeted the wealthy and was usually armed.

Highwayman = Outlaw Another way to think of a highwayman is as an outlaw. An outlaw is a person who has broken the law and tries to avoid being caught. A synonym for outlaw is fugitive.

Highwayman As Hero? Highwaymen were ‘bad boys’ who refused to live by society’s rules. The highwayman took what he wanted and had practiced his own ideas of justice and fairness. Women fantasized that a well- dressed, charming thief would rescue them from their ordinary lives.

Outlaw Hero? Robin Hood! Why an Outlaw? Why Heroic? broke the king’s rule which limited hunting stole from the rich Why Heroic? was kind and shared with the poor was handsome and stylish

Highwaymen vs. Redcoats Although perceived as heroic to some, highwaymen were still thieves. These criminals threatened the well-being of England’s citizens, especially its wealthy ones. Thus, highwaymen were pursued by the protectors of the land, the Redcoats.

Redcoats The Redcoats were British soldiers, responsible for protecting England and its Empire. The Redcoats did not view highwaymen as heroes.

Vocabulary: moor “The road was a ribbon of mooonlight over the purple moor” -Stanza 1, line 3 moor open area of land wasteland with poor drainage

Vocabulary: breeches breeches “A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin;” -Stanza 2, line 7 breeches knee-length trousers (or pants) worn by men in the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries often worn when riding a horse

Vocabulary: rapier rapier “His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jeweled sky.” -Stanza 2, line 10 rapier a long, narrow, two-edged sword

Vocabulary: ostler ostler “Where Tim the ostler listened; his face was white and peaked;” -Stanza 4, line 17 ostler stableman man who tended to the horses belonging to guests at an inn

Vocabulary: cascade cascade “As the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast;” -Stanza 6, line 28 cascade to flow or fall in abundance, much like a waterfall

Vocabulary: musket musket “Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets at their side!” -Stanza 8, line 38 musket A light gun with a long barrel often carried by soldiers

Think About This… What type of poem is ”The Highwayman?”